CHENNAI: When the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) released the entry list of the Indian contingent for the upcoming Asian Games, one discipline was conspicuous by its absence: e-Sports. Electronic sports, the umbrella term for all video games played at a competitive level, will feature as a demonstration event (medals not included in the tally) at next month in Jakarta.
This came as a surprise because 10 Indians had qualified to take part. In the South Asian region, India battled with Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Maldives, to advance. Out of the six titles the Asian Electronic Sports Federation has selected, Indians have qualified for four (Pro Evolution Soccer, Hearthstone, Clash Royale, Arena of Valor).
Lokesh Suji, one of the directors of Esports Federation of India, remains optimistic. “We are in talks with the IOA. Travel and everything is covered, so the IOA need not fund them. For a demonstration sport, the responsibility lies with the Asian Esports Federation.” The IOA is expected to rule on it in a few days.
e-Sports contingent: Pro Evolution Soccer: Navaneetha Anand, Ankur Diwakar.
Hearthstone: Tirth Mehta. Clash Royale: Karun Manganani. Arena of Valor: Tanmay Kumar, Abhineel Bajoria, Giridhar K Sajeev, Ahamed Junaid, Harsh Maan, Vishwajeet Singh Tomar.